After a shaky first-quarter start, quarterback Jalani Eason steeled the nerves of his Delta Devils’ offense and led Mississippi Valley State University to a 30-20 victory over Alabama A&M Thursday night, giving the team its first win of the season.
MVSU head coach Vincent Dancy couldn’t help but smile and appreciate the effort from his team.
“We came out early and established the physicality up front. We played a lot of young guys, and that’s what I’m proud of,” Dancy said, moments before being doused in Gatorade by his celebrating players. “The guys that needed to play stepped up big time, so I’m proud of these guys for the effort and the way they finished.”
During Valley’s second drive in the SWAC showdown at Rice-Totten Stadium, an Alabama A&M defender picked off Eason, giving the Bulldogs momentum and decent field position.
The Bulldogs’ offense found rhythm and began marching into Valley territory by short, quick passes to the outside, but the Delta Devils’ defense forced a fumble, and MVSU’s Jalen Bell recovered the ball on Valley’s 43-yard line.
The turnover brought fans to their feet and put the ball back in Eason’s hands — then he went to work.
The Delta Devils put together a seven-play, 57-yard drive, mixing running and passing plays. Eason found receiver Donald Johnson for a 25-yard bomb and landed the Devils on the Bulldogs’ four-yard line.
Eason put the finishing touches on the possession with a three-yard touchdown dart to Cameron Gardner to cap an impressive offensive scoring drive late in the first quarter.
The Delta Devils (1-8 overall) were able to take a 17-7 lead into the half and came out and scored 13 points in the third quarter. The Bulldogs (3-6 overall) were able to score seven points in the third and six more in the fourth, but Valley’s defense forced a four-and-out late in the fourth, sealing the win.
Offensively, Eason was the spark. He threw dimes to open receivers and extended plays with his legs when the pocket collapsed.
“Jalani was able to come in and relieve the pressure on the offensive line by being able to escape with his legs,” Dancy said. “He did a great job. He had that one turnover early, but no turnovers later. I thought he did a great job managing the offense.”
He threw all three of Valley’s touchdowns while going 15-of-35 for 177 yards and one interception. Eason was also the second leading rusher behind Caleb Johnson. Eason racked up 64 yards on eight carries. Johnson led with 69 yards on 19 tries.
Kicker Orlando Fernandez was pivotal in Valley’s win. He was 3-of-4 on field goals, including a make from 48 yards.
Receivers Jacory Rankin, Gardner and Sylvester Campbell all caught touchdown passes. Rankin led the team in receiving yards with 66, Gardner finished with 32 yards receiving, and Campbell picked up 15.
Defensively,Jayren Fox led Valley in total stops with 13, and five other Delta Devils picked up at least four total stops.
MVSU is at Southern University next week.
-Contact Jared Conerly at 662-581-7237 or jconerly@gwcommonwealth.com.
